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When Douglas Miller , a Landscape Architect who graduated from Michigan State University , first stepped human foot on this Somerset , Maryland prop the home was face an indistinguishability crisis . Much like a counselor help oneself his affected role embrace their true self , Miller helped the proprietor establish a cohesive exterior style . “ Originally plastic shutters flanked the window and the trim was painted a bright white , ” he points out . These Colonial details were not doing the nursing home justice , so Miller suggested flip to a cottage mode . “ The first part of the changeover was simple ; we bump off the shutters , paint the trim a dark coloring , swapped out the front door and added window basket . ”
With the shutter remove , trim paint and novel window basket , the home occupy on a strong bungalow feel . Photo by : Douglas Miller .
Next Miller turn his focus to the backyard where he was face up with a exorbitant slope and exposure to neighboring house that loomed overhead . His primary goal was to create blank space for entertaining , which was all-important for the householder , who is a local philanthropist and elected official . “ The garden had to be suited for host pocket-size , sit - down dinner party party , as well as large , standing room only fundraisers , ” explains Miller . However , at just 1/3 of an Akko there was n’t a plenty of space to work with . With the service of stone wall , Miller terraced the hillside and make a series of garden room .
A salmagundi of garden rooms were create , including this terrace . Photo by : Douglas Miller .
With the home ’s newly - discovered cottage identity , Miller wanted to create woodsy bungalow - like garden spaces . He did so with a two - branched approach : planting plush greenery and enhancing outdoor concealment . evergreen plant serve as the linchpin of this garden with perennial fuse in for soda of color and texture . “ I wanted a full , woodland - like feel and select the plants with that in brain . ” When it come up to privacy , works played a pivotal role . Newly planted trees assist screen the garden from neighbors as well as the street . However , the addition of a computer storage shed made the cock-a-hoop privacy improvement . “ The shed was designed to be vertically oversize as a perspective whoremonger that would bring the focus down from the mansion above that used to dwarf the garden , ” says Miller .
A pergola attached to the young shed , creates a intimate garden nook . picture by : TJ Gaghan .
Integrated into the fresh shed is an ask for model domain handle by a pergola . A customs work bench , overcompensate with colorful cushion , fill the corner of the garden nook . “ The homeowner had a furniture craftsman come out and project the workbench specifically for this place . He slue and finished a logarithm from the Midwest to fit precisely how we wanted . ” An Akebia vine , which is semi - evergreen , has meet in atop the pergola , creating a tactual sensation of privateness that makes invitee feel as if they ’ve stumble upon a secret concealing post . Other garden rooms Miller create let in a lounging patio and a dining region .
Here the dining sphere is place up for a pocket-size , sit down - down dinner party party . Photo by : TJ Gaghan .
Special requests from the householder also influenced the creation of this garden . First , he insisted on a large lawn because he like the look of tonic cut green goddess . secondly , he wanted a fence that could contain his Basset Hounds . Third , he ask that modern elements be used throughout the garden to tie in with the manner the Interior Department of the abode is decorated . This last postulation was guileful because of the traditional stylus of the habitation ’s exterior . “ I design the garden with round-eyed , uncontaminating lines and sharp sharpness to make a modern feel , but used very traditional materials to tie in with the style of the home , ” Miller suppose . accessory such as container and article of furniture also lean towards a modern esthetic .
This path serves as a junior-grade entry . To the right , Ajuga reptans’Jungle Beauty ' grows as a ground cover with fall fern growing in the background . Photo by : Douglas Miller .
With the help of Miller , this homeowner now has a habitation with a strong identity that will look adept for years to come . Recently , Miller has also helped him complete the front portion of the prop with a new driveway .
To enhance the bungalow computer architecture , a new wooden front threshold was add up , and the measure were widen . Photo by : Stephen Rick .
A tightlipped - up view of the window baskets , in which the works are changed with the seasons . picture by : TJ Gaghan .
For more on Douglas Miller visitwww.millergardener.com .
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